There are some new faces on the House Committees as released this week. Rep. Robert Jacquard (D-Cranston) was named Chairman of the House Corporations Committee, replacing long time Chairman Brian Patrick Kennedy. Rep. Kennedy was named Speaker Pro Tempore and will now be on the rostrum when Speaker Nicholas Mattiello is not able to lead the floor. Rep. Jacquard was elected to the House in 1992, making him one of the most senior members of the House. He is a retired police sergeant and a self-employed attorney.

Leading the House Labor Committee will be Rep. Robert Craven Sr. (D-North Kingstown). Rep. Craven was first elected to the House in 2012 and is currently an attorney at Robert E. Craven & Associates in North Kingstown. He is an assistant solicitor and probate judge in Charlestown and an assistant solicitor in East Providence.

Below is a list of committees that hear business issues periodically. Please note the committee membership for your Senator and Representative.

On Thursday, January 19th, At the Rise (around 4:20 p.m.), the House Oversight Committee will be hearing testimony from Director Robert Hull of the Department of Revenue and the Tax Administrator, Neena Savage about the current process for the application or renewal of Retail Sales Permits. The hearing will be held at the State House in Room 101.

The following bills were filed last week:

House Bill No. 5056, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOWS -- ASSISTANCE TO DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING (Requires businesses with drive-through windows to install hard-of-hearing equipment at the ordering station.)

House Bill No. 5058, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN (Requires children who seek a special limited work permit to successfully complete a worker rights' training program established and funded by the department of labor and training.)

House Bill No. 5078, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT (Changes the period of time required for occupancy for transient lodging accommodations from 30 days to 6 days.)

House Bill No. 5107, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - MINIMUM WAGES (Commencing on January 1, 2018, require that all developmental disabilities organizations that employ five (5) employees or more and who are reimbursed for such services by the state, to pay their employees at least fifteen ($15.00) dollars per hour.)

House Bill No. 5108, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY (Encourages commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their retail establishment locations, and also permit insurers to consider the installation of such barriers to provide a discount on the owner's insurance policy.)

House Bill No. 5113, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE (Permits the use of fax or email transmission of the medical certificate required for issuance of a CDL by the division of motor vehicles.)